Leroy Bassett Sharp Jr.

Mr. Leroy Bassett Sharp, Jr. of Tulare passed away unexpectedly Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the age of 85.

Mr. Leroy Bassett Sharp, Jr. of Tulare passed away unexpectedly Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the age of 85.

Roy, born on March 13, 1927 to Leroy and Helen Sharp, was raised in Oakland, Calif. until he joined the Navy. After World War II, Roy attended UC Davis, graduating with a degree in animal husbandry in 1950. Roy was a local livestock producer who owned and operated Livestock Systems Management, Sharp Energy, Royal Farms, Sharp Brothers Inc. and Sharp Cattle Feeders and other businesses over the past 58 years in Tulare, in addition to being active in Farm Bureau, National Pork Producers, Cattlemen's Association and receiving many awards for his work in the community.

He was very active in providing fair hogs for youth to raise in agriculture education projects and was widely known for his achievement of developing and implementing one of the first cost effective methane digesters in 1980, which is still in operation today reducing energy costs for Royal Farms.

Roy was well-known for being a trend-watcher, trend-setter and for his pioneering spirit. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends in addition to flying his planes, skiing, traveling (locally and abroad), hiking, hunting and bridge.

He is survived by his wife Donna of 62 years, his children David and Joyce Sharp, Roy III and Linda Sharp and Terri Weller; his grandchildren Cindie and Christopher Barbara, Megan and Jordan Brown, Buddy and Jeanette Hirayama, Brice and Patricia Hughes, Myndi Hughes, Shawn Fitzgerald and Kelly Fitzgerald; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Eugene Sharp.

A memorial service for Roy Sharp will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 at the International Agriculture Center in Tulare. Submit your condolences, remembrances or photos to share with family and friends at Memorialwebsites.legacy.com/RoySharp.